Cafeoutdoors.com: Building a .410 reloader

Anyone ever build your own shotshell reloader or convert an existing one to a different gauge that was not available for that particular machine? After spending almost $14 for a box of 3" .410 the other day I decided it was finally time to start doing what I've been puting off for years - reload .410

I know that used MEC Jr's in .410 are not too hard to find and are usually resonable, but to be honest I just don't have the space to dedicate for a progressive press. I really like the simplicity of the old Lee Loader hand die (wack with a hammer kind) but they don't make the shotshell version anymore and finding one in .410 is rare and costly. I saw one go for $110 on ebay recently, plus I would have to find two of them if I wanted to do both 2 1/2" & 3". I also have always admired the Lee Load All (almost talked myself into buying one numerous time over the years), but they never made them in .410 and I'm not quite sure why.

I've come to the conclusion that if I'm gonna keep it simple and cheap I'm gonna have to either make my own or try to convert something. So the other day I put pen to paper and came up with a couple of different variations of the Lee Loader that I could easily build on my lathe. One version has me modifying the body of an existing Lee Loader in .444 Marlin, then building a wad seater and rammer. Since the threaded body is adjustable for bullet seating depth, I could use this feature to set the die up for both 2 1/2" and 3" shells. The other (and simpler) version has me building a one piece body from DOM tube bored to a slip fit on all but the last 1/4" with a press fit there for sizing. This version would be about an inch longer than a spent 3" hull and would have two rammers, one for 2 1/2" and one for 3". Both versions would utilize the same type of de capping and charging chamber used on the Lee Loader and would use a spindex crimp starter by hand. I already have everything needed to build version two in my scrap boxes right now and the spindex came in the mail Saturday so I will probably build one this week.

I was at a gun show yesterday and came across an older 20 ga. Load All that was too tempting to pass up for 20 bones. It is the old style with a metal base and isn't missing any bushings and ain't rusted or cracked anywhere. After taking it apart and thinking it about it for awhile I'm fairly certain I can construct a whole new carrier from scratch that will do .410 I've got all the stations pretty well figured out. I'll have to make a smaller case rim holder at the final crimp stage and new powder and shot bushing for the charge bar and a sizing bushing. All of this should be easily accomplishied with my lathe and I already have a good assortment of brass round bar and cold roll that I can make the bushings with. The idea is that I won't be making and permanent mods to the existing press if it doesn't work out I still have a functional loader. And if it does work I can still change out the carriers and load both sizes.

Any thoughts good or bad..........wasting my time??? Know anyone who's tried it before, did it work out?

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Shawn Wheaton
Missouri Waterfowl Association
Westside Chapter Chairman